Mahabalipuram a tourist spot near Chennai, Tamilnadu India, lies on the Coromandel Coast which faces the Bay of Bengal. This is an elegant place to watch with a well established sea port during the 7th and 10th centuries of the Pallava dynasty. This was the second capital of the Pallavas who ruled Kanchipuram. ‘Mahabalipuram’history says that a very rude cruel king Mahabali reined this place and in a fierce battle king Mahabali was killed by Lord Vishnu and the place was named after the dead, arrogant king Mahabali.

What is special about mahabalipuram? Of course every one can point out the rock – cut caves, temples made from a single rock, temples and strives of different structures, and bas-reliefs which are so artistic and sheer creativity. Mamallpuram is referred as an ‘open-air museum’. The great pallava kings Narasimha I and Rajasimha have well preserved these stylistic qualities that one enjoys in Mahabalipuram even in the present day.

The five Rathas is a set of magnificent monolithic rock temples. Panch is a Hindi world which means ‘Five’. These fine rock temples are located in a sandy compound. These five Rathas are the perfect examples of the evolution of Dravidian style architecture. They are built in the shape of pagodas and they look similar to that of the Buddhist shrines and monasteries. Rathas in English means chariots. These chariots are constructed with Towers, the cars of gods, multi pillared halls, and sculptured walls which are chiseled out minutely.

It is believed that there were seven magnificent temples what are known as the seven pagodas, built near the sea share. But the lonely survivor is the shore temples. It was originally constructed during the 7th century and later it was Narasimha Varman II, (Rajasimha) completed the skilled work in his rule. This is one of the oldest of the south Indian temples which were structural temples constructed in the nature Dravidian style. This shore temple has gained popularity and tourists gather here because it has been listed among the world heritage sites of the UNESCO. The temple is full of designs made by carvings.

The Mamallpuram beach adds beauty to the Pallava constructions. There are green and lush casuarinas groves which add further color to the surroundings. The sunrise and sunset looks exuberant and tourists will surely enjoy the ambiance. One can observe the light fading away to night, the waning moon; the shining and glittering stars and the murmuring waves add glory to this place. People would certainly love to enjoy this tourist resort.

The beauty of the place is not only due to these architecture but the vast casuarinas trees, the silvery sandy beach the classical hand male crafts around have made them all to form what is a collective splendor. Any visitor who visits Mahabalipuram will remain startled and intoxicated with the grandeur. Undoubtedly a magnificent, historical and fascinating tourist spot.